"Our robot is a functional robot where it has to perform a task, so we're not going for looks," said Raul Salinas, 16, an 11th-grader at the school, 1101 Quitman. "It's your basic frame, 27 inches by 37 inches, and then it's got two-wheel drive, a transmission, electronics and a conveyor system."

Spunky has an important job to do at Reliant Arena Friday during the Lone Star Regional For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics competition.

The squad has been working numerous hours on Spunky, getting him ready for the competition in which he has to be able to shoot foam balls for points.

"It's kind of a combination basketball/soccer game," said Paloma Garner, a Davis science teacher and the leader of the robotics team.

"There are three robots per team, and they have to shoot the balls into baskets or drop them into lower goals along the sidelines."

The robots are controlled by two students. One drives the robot and the other controls it.

"Last year, we did really well at the regionals and we were even in first place for a little bit," Garner said.

"But then we (our robot) got tipped over. That was the end of it for us.

"We haven't made it to the nationals yet."

Garner said this is Davis' third year to compete, which means the team has the advantage of a couple of old robots to experiment with at the school.

"We have two old robots and that gives us a chance to work out the kinks and figure things out," Garner said.

She said there are plenty of things to figure out as the students fervently work to get Spunky functional.

"There are two main things," said Tobey Navarro, a 17-year-old sophomore. "Getting it to run, and keeping it under weight.

The weight limit is 120 pounds.

"Right now we're at 104.2 pounds."

Winners of the regional competition will advance to nationals in Atlanta, Ga. in April.

WANT TO GO?

What: FIRST Robotics Competition, Lone Star RegionalWhen: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 31 and April 1Where: Reliant ArenaCost: Free and open to the public